Iran surprisingly knocked record winners Japan out of the tournament in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup. Qatar won against Uzbekistan on penalties.
In the duel between the World Cup participants, the outsiders prevailed 2-1 (0-1) and can continue to hope for their first title since 1976.
Asia Cup, quarterfinals arrow right
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (90.+6) scored with a penalty kick shortly before the end. The Mönchengladbach Bundesliga professional Ko Itakura was clumsy in the penalty area.
In the semi-final against Qatar
Mohammad Mohebi (55th) equalized Japan’s lead through Kaoru Mitoma (28th) after an assist from ex-Leverkusen player Sardar Azmoun. Iran will play against Qatar in the semi-finals on Wednesday (4 p.m.). Iran won the Asian Cup in 1969, 1972 and 1976.
In addition to Itakura from Gladbach, Hiroki Ito (Stuttgart) and Ritsu Doan (Freiburg) from the Bundesliga were in the starting line-up for four-time tournament winners Japan. Bochum’s Takuma Asano came on as a substitute.
Victory on penalties for Qatar
Host Qatar is also in the semi-finals after a 3-2 win on penalties against Uzbekistan. After 120 minutes the score was 1:1 (1:1, 1:0).
An own goal by Uzbek goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov (27th) put Qatar in the lead before Odiljon Hamrobekov (59th) equalized.
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